Oz pubcaster looks to 'Rain' for repair

Shooting starts on the ABC's new drama
By PAUL CHAI


SYDNEY -- Lensing kicked off this week on the ABC's new drama "Rain Shadow," toplining Rachel Ward, and the pubcaster will be looking to the big-name vehicle to resurrect its drama reputation.

Web's hours of local drama have plunged in the past few years, and it is looking for a drama hit.

Rural six-parter, produced by ABC and Southern Star, tells the timely story of a rural community racked with drought and the efforts of district vet Kate McDonald (Ward) to hold it together.

Filming is in Mount Barker, South Australia; "Rain Shadow" will bopaul chw on the pubcaster later this year.